Construction Cost Estimating Blog

Quantity Take Off or QTO is a well known project estimating company serving to the contractors, home builders, architects, design- build firms and sub contractor trade. We are providing estimating service since 2002 with a great chronicle of success.

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Wednesday, December 13, 2017

OPC 53 Grade Cement:OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement) belongs to the basic form of cement and it is formed with 95% cement clinkers and 5% gypsum.Gypsum stands for an additive and it’s objective is to enhance the setting time of the cement to a executable 30 minutes or more.OPC Cement provides high compressive strength at initial phases and at 28 days. A 53 Grade cement provides equal to 70 MPa strength across a minimum 53 MPa stated by BIS. Therefore, fly ash can also be blended (minimum 20% by weight of cement) in concrete as part replacement of cement at jobsite.Due to this the material cost of concrete is saved significantly as well as durable properties can be maintained because of pore refinement (Less porous concrete).If the concrete is formed in this way, the adaptability of concrete is enhanced greatly and it leads to higher strength in due course.

Recommended use for PPC: Flyash based cement (PPC) will be effective for brick masonry, plastering, tiling and waterproofing works. In these works, strength is not a vital factor. PPC is more beneficial as compared to OPC because PPC contains slower rate of heat of hydration.

Thus PPC is likely to less cracks & shrinkage), superior workability and finishing (because fly ash based cement are circular in shape and thinner in size).

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

EngiSSol has developed 2D Frame Analysis Dynamic Edition. This construction program applies improved finite elements (beam elements) with the purpose of carrying out static and dynamic analysis of beams, frames and trusses.It is very recognized due to it’s simple interface and smooth customization.

Monday, December 11, 2017

Segregation in concrete refers to partition of concrete components due to inconsistency of concrete mix. The flow test can easily represent the bond of the concrete mix.If the concrete is not integrated, the major particles of aggregate will be detached and will proceed towards the periphery. Another type of segregation occurs if concrete mix is provided on a wet surface. A cement particle generally moves from the center of the concrete mix and gives up the coarser material behind. Segregation is not calculated in qualitative terms but a knowledgeable professional can easily locate it.A segregated concrete contains a variable strength and comparatively tends to cracking and leakages from the concrete. So, proper care should be taken to get rid of segregation in concrete to enhance the longevity of your structure.Given below, some useful tips to avoid segregation in concrete:

01. The design of the concrete mix should be perfect with ideal quantity of water i.e. not too wet nor too dry.

02. Ensure the concrete is blended properly at the accurate speed in a transit mixture for relatively two minutes. Verify the performance of mixer on a daily basis regarding adequate equality of distribution of components in each batch.

03. Transmit the concrete mix properly. Select the perfect route through which the transportation of concrete mix can be done quickly.

04. Arrange the concrete in its final position rapidly. Never pour a concrete from greater heights.

05. Formwork should have been water resistant in order that paste should leakage from the forms. Check that formwork is not vibrated.

06. Ensure that concrete should not be streamed.

07. The vibrator should have been used properly and not to be utilized for extending a heap of concrete over a greater area.

08. Vibrate the concrete for just the exact time-not too long, not too less.

09. Employ chemical admixtures like air entraining agent in the mix. Entrained air helps in minimizing the possibility of segregation.

10. If any segregation is found in concrete, remixing should be performed to sustain it’s consistency.

Friday, December 8, 2017

In this construction video tutorial, one will learn how to work out or analyze the rates of cement, fine aggregates, course aggregates in a foundation construction.Assume, the length of the foundation is 80 ft and width is 30 ft. The thickness of the foundation is taken as 9 inches. M7.5 concrete grade is used with ratio 1:4:8. (cement : sand : aggregate).Initially, you have to determine the volume with the following formula :-Volume = Length x Width x thickness = 80 x 30 x 0.75 (as 9 inches is equal to 0.75 feet) = 1800 cftIt is the wet volume and you have to convert it to dry volume with the following method :-We know that in measuring unit cubic meter or cubic feet, 54% volume is increased from wet to dry in concrete. To convert from percentage to decimal, just divide by 100 i.e. 1+84/100 = 1.54So, dry volume = 1800 x 1.54 = 2772 cft

Thursday, December 7, 2017

This construction video provides detailed information on slab reinforcement that is created with bar bending schedule (BBS).Slab reinforcement stands for the method that is undertaken to bend reinforcing steel and transform into shapes necessary for building up reinforced concrete structure.Bar bending schedule (aka schedule of bars) belongs to a list of reinforcement bars, a specified RCC work item. It is demonstrated in a tabular form for smooth graphical reference.

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

A roofing cost calculator generally calculates the close estimate of roofing costs for any new or renovated home. It is seen that the cost of roofing in any kind of homes is the most expensive one and its ups and down depends on the materials, labor and roofing pitch.This kind of calculator calculate the overall cost of roofing with the cost of labors, materials and warranty for any kind of roofing such as 3-tab asphalt shingles, architectural and superior composition shingles, PVC, TPO, EPDM rubber, built-up roofs, cedar shakes and shingles, clay tiles, natural slate and metal roofing.Roofing is generally calculated and measured as per squares and a square of roofing is the amount of roofing material that is needed to cover 100 square feet. But the thing is not easy as there are different kinds of roof pitches and dormers and the measures are not same for all. So it is a good idea to make an estimate with the help of supplier or roofing contractor.There are some roofing calculator can be found in the market that will help to calculate the exact roofing cost for a new home or a renovating home, it is usually supply a rough estimate that can be compared with the roofing contractors.Cost: The prices are generally depends on the average roof placement costs in different countries. The price of different materials highs or lows as per their quality and the price of the labor depend on the quality of roofing materials. To make the ultimate pricing details, calculate with the chimneys or floors or levels where the flooring needs to be done.Pitch: The increasing pitch of the floor highs the labor of installing roofs and it affects replacement roof costs and new home costs than any other area. Roof pitch generally implied through a number over a number and the higher number is the sharper pitch. The roofing contractors take price as per the weight of shingle and the roof pitch as the sharper pitch and heavier shingle make their job difficult though in case of look the sharper pitch and heavier shingle make the roof structure beautiful.Warranties: Shingles have their own warranties varies as per their building material, such as the asphalt and fiberglass shingles have the warranties as per their weight. The warranty of the shingles also depend on their weight and price like the minimal expensive and lighter weighted shingles normally comes with a 15 year of warranty but the heavier yet more costly one have the warranty for up to 25 years.Building tip: It is mandatory to finish the building of the chimney before shingling the area around it as it will help to place the sheet metal flashing around the areas as a waterproof and reduce the damage to the shingles. Before working on the roofing areas, consult with the roofing contractor as they will be responsible for any kind of fault or damage.Dormers: A house needs various kinds of windows, skylights, port holes, attic and similar kind of things to nourish the beauty of the house. But it is true that they bear costly charges and a high pitched roof is needed to cover them, so it is important to talk with the roofing contractors about the estimated cost of those.

Recommend professionals: It is a very tough job indeed need risky, the work needs right planning, materials, right knowledge of costing etc, so it is better to hire a professional and consult with him for better result.

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Cervenka Consulting Ltd has developed AmQuake, the useful software for earthquake engineering.With the use of this program, the engineers will be able to create the design of safe masonry buildings in the seismic regions of Europe. This formation was supported with the introduction of Eurocode 6 and 8 in Europe. These standards become compulsory in the European Union that commences from March 2010, and they employ strong rules for masonry buildings in seismic regions. By applying pushover analysis and the corresponding frame method to examine the seismic safety of masonry buildings in a graphical user-friendly environment.Demo version is automatically incorporated in the program. The unregistered / unpaid version of the program automatically functions in the demo mode.The demo mode is restricted to 10 frame elements. This limitation does not include the examples provided in the installation.The software contains the following features :-